According to the American Optometric Association, approximately 80% of what a child learns in school is acquired through vision, and […]
If you notice that you or a loved one has different sized pupils, it’s important to understand the potential causes and to know when to be checked by an eyecare professional.
The pupils in our eyes are the black circular part at the front of the eye which allows light into the back of the eye. The size of the pupil changes depending if you are in a brightly lit environment versus a dark one. In a dark setting, the pupils widen in order to take in as much light as possible. In contrast, in bright light, the pupils constrict.
Anisocoria is a medical term used when the pupils are different sizes. One in five people don’t have pupils that are exactly the same size, but the difference is small and insignificant, often a 1mm difference between both eyes. This is considered to be physiological anisocoria which causes no harm. However, there are conditions which cause the pupils to differ in size and it can be a sign of a serious medical disease.
Some medical causes of anisocoria include:
If you notice a sudden change in the size of one of your pupils, especially if it occurs after an injury or along with other symptoms, it’s important to seek medical care right away. It is not necessarily a harmful phenomenon but it does need to be checked as soon as possible because some of the possible causes are serious and require immediate medical care. Please schedule an appointment at our office and we will do our best to accommodate an appointment right away. If that is not possible we will guide you to the best urgent care facility.
It can be hard to notice a change in the size of your pupils, especially if your pupils blend in with a dark colored iris, as opposed to someone who has light blue eyes. Sometimes anisocoria occurs with other symptoms which are more noticeable, such as:
If you notice any of these symptoms along with different sized pupils or experience sudden changes in your vision, please schedule an eye exam with our eye doctor in New York.
Most of the time anisocoria does not require treatment as it does not affect the health of your eyes or your vision. If it does happen to affect your vision, your eye doctor may be able to prescribe appropriate glasses that can help with the issue. If the difference in pupil size is due to a medical condition, this underlying cause will be treated appropriately. If you have any questions or concerns regarding anisocoria, make sure to consult with your eye doctor who can guide you, diagnose the condition and recommend the proper treatment.
Many cases of anisocoria cannot be prevented as it could be physiological or due to medical conditions that can’t be avoided. However, anisocoria could be related to eye injuries and it’s important to do what we can to avoid such circumstances. If you are engaged in any activities that pose a threat to your eyes, it is crucial to ensure that you are wearing the proper protective gear in order to prevent trauma to the eyes.
Physiological anisocoria is a common phenomenon, found in approximately 20% of the population. It is not harmful and it’s a very minor difference in the size of both pupils. There are other types of anisocoria which present with a more significant inequality of sizes between the pupils. This could be harmless or it could be caused by an underlying medical condition. If you suddenly notice that one pupil is bigger or smaller than the other, especially after trauma to the eye or if it comes with other symptoms, please book an immediate appointment at our office by calling (212) 752-6930. Regardless of the type of anisocoria, it is important to get it checked by the eye doctor for a proper diagnosis and discussion of treatment, if relevant. Patients searching for advanced medical eye care visit our clinic from all over New York, and we are proud to be a leading provider of medical eye care services for patients from New York, Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island.
At Amplify with Dr Wernick I was seeking help for seemingly intractable, probably age-related dryness. I've seen other doctors about it, and that has been helpful, but what he explained to me about it and the careful way he answered all my questions gave me so much more of a clear understanding of what is going on (and is not) that I am more able to implement all his and others' recommendations than I was before. And he gave me additional resources for further follow-up. I am most grateful.
Wow! This is a great Eye Care medical facility. I was thoroughly examined by Dr. Pinkhasov for over 2 hours. She made sure to check my eyes for pretty much everything and patiently explained proper care for my eyes. They definitely know how to provide great care and treat their patients right. Now I know why they have such a great reputation and been around for so long.
Dr. Kavner is a gifted diagnostician and orthoptic therapist. He treated me several decades ago for a condition similar to dyslexia. I was having migraines five times per week. I worked with him for about a year and I experienced tremendous improvement (down to 3-4 per year) that has lasted.
Dr. Kavner recommended two types of eye therapy for my daughter. One of them using bio-feedback. In just three sessions she is seeing considerably better. She shouted this morning: Ooh my God! I could not see these letters with my glasses on, and now I can see them without my glasses. If you are willing and able to invest in improving your vision, this is a good place to go to!
Dr. Kavner recommended two types of eye therapy for my daughter. One of them using bio-feedback. In just three sessions she is seeing considerably better. She shouted this morning: Ooh my God! I could not see these letters with my glasses on, and now I can see them without my glasses. If you are willing and able to invest in improving your vision, this is a good place to go to!
I have always found Dr Kavner's work, expertise and wisdom of the highest caliber. As one of the fathers of OT, occupational othomology, his depth and breadth of knowledge about the eyes' health and wellbeing of the patient is exemplary. Cannot say enough good things about him.
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